Ring Road Authority jacks up toll tax by up to Rs50

The Lahore Ring Road Authority (LRRA) has jacked up toll tax tariffs by Rs5 to Rs50 per trip for travellers on Lahore Ring Road on Wednesday. The decision irked commuters, goods and public transporters alike and a few also registered their protest by parking their vehicles at Gulshan Ravi Toll Plaza.

The new toll tax tariff issued by the LRRA shows toll tax rates for cars and jeeps have been increased from Rs45 to Rs50 per trip. Similarly, toll tax tariff for a wagon, minibus and coaster has been increased from Rs90 to Rs100 per trip; bus from Rs230 to Rs250; loader, truck, dumper and pick-up (2-3 axle) from Rs270 to Rs300; and truck and trailer (above 3-axle) from Rs450 to Rs500 per trip.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Pakistan Goods Transporters Association General Secretary Nabeel Mahmood Tariq rejected an increase in toll tax rates and demanded authorities to withdraw their decision. He said goods transporter and commuters are already facing hardships owing to inflation and an increase in petroleum products rates.

Earlier, businesses were ruined owing to coronavirus induced lockdowns than inflation, petrol and dollar rates. In these circumstances the government should avoid imposing another burden on citizens already fighting to make ends meet, he criticised.

Another goods transporter, Rahim Khan, complained that unprecedented increases had been witnessed during the past couple of years. Toll tax tariffs for motorways, highways and flyovers had been almost doubled besides diesel, petrol, lube and tyre rates.

The goods transport sector was facing very tough competition as the industry was not ready to increase freight charges. The impact of all these increases inflations will ultimately pass on to common citizens in the form of inflation.

The transport sector is not in opposition to absorb these increases, he maintained. A private car owner, Muhammad Ali, highlighted that he uses Lahore Ring Road on daily basis for travelling from his house in Bahria Town to his office DHA Phase 5.

“I work in a private company for a fixed salary. A little increase in travel or any other expenditure disturbs my whole budget but the government is not paying attention to common citizens problems. Parliamentarians, army officers and judges are exempted from toll taxes on ring roads and motorways. They enjoy these perks and privileges on taxpayers’ money. How can they understand the pain of common commuters,” he remarked.

Another commuter, Arif Butt, suggested the authority should impose toll tax on a per-kilometre basis instead of a flat rate. It is understandable that the contractor is trying to recover his investment since the project was built on private-public partnership mode but the government should direct them to take a rational approach instead of fleecing commuters, he added.

The 62-km road encircles provincial metropolis connecting Babu Sabu and Raiwind Road. Initially, there was no toll but in the financial year 2016-17, the LRRA had imposed toll tax ranging between Rs20 and Rs200.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2021.